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US 2024/0102518 A1Published application
Linear clutch and method of manufacturing
AssigneeBlanking Systems, Inc.
InventorFrank Oetlinger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear clutch includes a main body engaged with a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a spring and a wedge configured to engage the spring. The wedge includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, with the second surface including a taper configured to engage a taper on a wall section of the main body. The locking assembly also includes a roller bearing assembly configured to fit within the tapers of the first wedge and the main body. Furthermore, the locking assembly includes a lever configured to engage the wedge and to move between an unlocked position and a locked position.
Claims20
A linear clutch comprising:
- a main body;
- a support panel section comprising an outer side and an inner side opposite the outer side;
- a first wall section extending from the inner side of the support panel section, the first wall section comprising:
- a groove adjacent to the inner side of the support panel section;
- and
- a first taper adjacent to and extending away from the groove;
- a second wall section extending from the inner side of the support panel section and spaced apart from the first wall section;
- and
- a channel extending through the main body adjacent to the groove of the first wall section and defined by the second wall section and the inner side of the support panel section, the channel configured to receive an object therethrough such that the linear clutch is movable along the object in a first direction and a second direction;
- and
- a locking assembly configured to engage the groove and the taper of the first wall section, the locking assembly comprising:
- a first wedge positioned within the groove of the first wall section, the first wedge comprising:
- a first surface adjacent to the channel;
- and
- a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising a taper extending into the first wedge from the second surface toward the first surface and positioned adjacent to the first taper of the first wall section to form a first taper pocket;
- a first bearing assembly positioned within the first taper pocket and comprising a first roller bearing;
- a lever secured at the first wall section and engaged with the wedge, the lever configured to switch the linear clutch between an unlocked state in which the linear clutch is able to move along the object in the first direction and the second direction and a locked state in which the linear clutch cannot move along the object in the first direction;
- and
- a first spring biasing the first wedge to engage the lever.
16 more elements
A method of manufacturing a linear clutch, the method comprising:
- providing a main body comprising:
- a support panel section comprising an outer side and an inner side opposite the outer side;
- a first wall section extending from the inner side of the support panel section, the first wall section comprising:
- a groove adjacent to the inner side of the support panel section;
- and
- a first taper adjacent to and extending away from the groove;
- a second wall section extending from the inner side of the support panel section and spaced apart from the first wall section;
- and
- a channel extending through the main body adjacent to the groove of the first wall section and defined by the second wall section and the inner side of the support panel, the channel configured to receive an object therethrough such that the linear clutch is movable along the object in a first direction and a second direction;
- and
- installing a locking assembly onto the main body by:
- securing a lever at the first wall section;
- installing a first bearing assembly comprising a roller bearing in the first taper of the first wall section;
- providing a first wedge comprising:
- a first surface;
- and
- a second surface opposite the first surface and comprising a taper extending into the first wedge from the second surface toward the first surface;
- installing the first wedge within the groove of the first wall section with a first spring such that:
- the first taper of the first wall section and the taper of the second surface of the first wedge are adjacent to each other and form a first taper pocket in which the first bearing assembly is positioned;
- the first spring biases the first wedge to engage the lever;
- and
- the lever is able to switch the linear clutch between an unlocked state in which the linear clutch is able to move along the object in the first direction and the second direction and a locked state in which the linear clutch cannot move along the object in the first direction.
19 more elements
A locking assembly for a linear clutch, the locking assembly comprising:
- a first wedge comprising:
- a first surface;
- and
- a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising a taper extending into the first wedge from the second surface toward the first surface;
- a first spring configured to bias the first wedge;
- a first bearing assembly configured to fit within the taper of the first wedge and comprising a first roller bearing;
- and
- a lever configured to engage the wedge and to move between an unlocked position and a locked position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.